Funeral coach



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. R. HUGHES El AL FUNERAL COACH Filed Feb. 19. 1930 April 2, 1935.

zmcw ww /ifio April 1935. J. R. HUGI-IEIS El Al 1,996,420

FUNERAL COACH Filed Feb. 19, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTOR.

Patented Apr. 2, 1935 UNITE, 'i"

South Bend, Ind, assignors to The'stud'ebaker Corporation, South Bend',.-lnd., a: corporation of New Jersey Application February" 19, 1930, Serial No. 429,579-

1 Claims." (cocoaist This invention relates to funeral coaches and more particularly to automobile coaches wherein the casket may be loaded; through either rear: or side door openings.

One object of the invention is to providea body for funeral coaches with a pivotally mounted table adapted to be swung to a position to extend into the side door opening ,to receive a casket thereon and to; allow convenient access to the interior of the body while the vehicle is standing in a. position parallel to the street curb.

A further object is to provide a side loading funeral coach with a, pivoted table whereby the casket. having. its major axis. substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the body may be readily loaded: thereon through either side door opening of the body and the casket guided into the body to a position with its major axis parallel with the major axis of the body A further object is to provide a funeral coach body with a floor having an offset portion therein on which a table is pivotally supported and swingable through a side door opening to receive a casket.

A still further object is to provide a'funeral coach body withd'oors in the sides. thereof and a floor having two levels, a pivoted table adapted to swing into either door opening to receive the casket being mounted on the lower level of the floor with its upper face in substantially the same plane as the upper levelof the floor, to. permit positioning the casket partly onthe table and partly on the body floor.

A still further object is to provide a funeral coach body of su-fiicient size to permit a casket to be disposed therein with its major axis parallel to the major axis of the body, the body having a door in the side thereof wider than the casket but narrower than the length thereof, and a table pivotally supported within the body swingable into the door opening to receive thecasket having its major axis substantially perpendicular tothe major axis of the body and then move the casket into the body to permit positioning of the same therein on the table and body floor with its major axis parallel to the major axis of the body.

These being among the objects of the present invention the same consists of certain features of construction and combination of parts. to be hereinafter described with reference to thetacccmpanying drawings, and then claimed, having the above and other objects in View.

In the accompanying drawings which: illustrate suitable embodiments of the presentinvention,

Figure l asectiona-l view througha. funeral coach, showing the. floor.-

the pivoted casket carrying; table supportedthereon. V l

V Figure 2 is an. enlarged fragmentary plan view of a. portion: of the floor, showing. the stabilizing means: for preventingthe rocking of the table on it s-r pivot, y} '7 I Figure 3. is an enlarged sectional view, taken on the line 33- of Figure 1, showing the pivot for the swinging tablet Figure 4 isan enlarged sectional-view taken on the line la-def Figure 1, showing the stabilizmeans for the swinging table.

Figure 5 is an enlarged-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2. l I -A large percentage. of the funeral coaches in use at the present time permits the loading of the casket intothe body through only a rear door, this having been the practice even prior to the time when automobile coaches were adopted almost universally for carrying the; deceased to the place oi Various attempts have been made to build side loading funeral coaches but so far as we are aware these vehicle bodies have not been entirely satisfactory because of the difficulty encountered inloading the casket into the; coach due to the fact thatv the casket-had to enter the body with its longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to: the majoraxis of the body and then-turnedtoa position, with. its major axis parallel with the major axis of the body.

, It is recognized by funeral, directors that side loading coaches have advantages over the rear loading; coaches-in many instances as they provide easyandconvenient meansv for loading the casket when the coach is standing in aposition parallel with the street curb so that the pallbearers are not, compelled; to-walk into the street to load the casket into the vehicle. It is also recognized by funeral directors that under some conditions itis desirable vtogload or unload the casket from the funeral coach through the rear door..

Having, in-

the difficulties experienced with side loading funeral coaches which have been heretofore devised, and realizing the advantages to be obtained in-a sideloading funeral coach when. combined with a rear loading coach, we have invented: a means for loading caskets into the vehicle body through door openings at either sidethereof which may beun-loaded through the rear door opening, or vice versa. It is to be understood that while in this specification we refer to the loading of the casket through the side dooropenings; of the vehicle body that it will be Well understood to those skilled in the art that the casket may be loaded into the vehicle body through the rear door opening and unloaded through either of the side door openings. While the claims define the loading of the casket through the side door openings, it will also be understood that it is not intended that the invention shall be construed as meaning loading only through the side doors but that the unloading of the casket through either of the side doors or the rear door may be accomplished merely by the reversal of the movement specified for loading the casket into the vehicle body.

Referring to the numberedparts of the drawings in which like numerals refer to like. parts throughout the several views, we have shown a funeral coach body I9 having a rear door II and a plurality of doors I2 in each side thereof. While it is more convenient and practical to provide two doors in each side of the body, one door only may be employed in either side of the body without limiting our invention. The body I0 is provided with a floor I 3 having an offset I4 therein whereby the floorhas two levels I5 and I6. Mounted within the forward end of the body are seats I! andIB which are adapted to slide or move in suitable ways, not shown, to an extreme forward position as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 to permit easy access to the interior of the body through the side door openings.

In the objects of the invention and throughout I the specification, we have described the vehicle body for use as a funeral coach; however, it is clearly evident that it may be used as an ambulance and that the stretcher may be loaded or unloaded through the door openings at the side or at the rear of the body. Also, by providing an offset in the floor and having a swinging table mounted on the lower floor level with its face with the upper floor level comprises a construction well suited for ambulance use as it is not necessary to remove any parts from the body to use it interchangeably as a hearse or ambulance.

A table I9 is supported on the lower level l6 of the floor with its upper face in the same plane as the upper level I5 of the floor for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The table I9 is provided at either side thereof 'with projections 26 having notches 2| formed therein to receive the pivot pins 22. As the pivot pins 22 and the parts associated therewith at both sides of the table are identical, the description of one of the same is all that is deemed necessary and attention is directed to Figure 3 of the drawings as showing this construction. On the lower level I6 of the floor is secured a plate 23 by means of the bolts 24 which is adapted to receive the screw threaded end 25 of the pivot pin 22. An anti-friction bearing 23 which we have illustrated has a ball bearing, although not limiting our invention thereto, ismounted on the plate'23 to receive the cap 21. The table I9 rests on the cap 21 and rotates therewith when the table is swung on the pivot pin 22. The upper portion of the pin is preferably tapered at 28' to fit into a tapered recess 29 formed in the table I9 to provide a proper bearing surface so that the table I9 will pivot on the tapered portion 28 of the pin 22 and not be released therefrom due to the slot 2| formedin the projection 29 at the side of the table I9. The pivot pin 22 is also provided with a handle 39 which provides convenient means for screwing the threaded end 25 into the member 23 to seat the tapered portion 28 into the bearing 29 or to release the same therefrom. We preferably provide a stop ring 3I on the extreme end of the pivot pin 22 to prevent the removal of the pin 22 from the plate 23 so that the same cannot be disconnected and become lost.

When it is desired to swing the table I9 on the pivot pin 22 at the right side thereof, as viewed in Figure 1, so that the table is swung through the door openings at the right hand side of the body, the pivot pin 22 at the right hand side of the table is screwed into the member 23 so that the tapered portion 28 will seat in the bearing 29 to thus form a pivot for the table. The pivot pin 22 at the left hand side of the table I9 is backed off so that the table may be swung to the position described as the notch 2! in the projection 20 permits the disengagement of the table from the pivot pin at that side of the table.

When it is desired to swing the table through thedoor opening in the left hand side of the body the pivot pin 22 at the left hand side of the table, as viewed in Figure 1, is screwed home so that the tapered portion 28 seats in the bearing 29 and the pivot pin 22 at the right hand side of the table is backed off to permit swinging of the table I9 in that direction.

To assist in the easy swinging of the table in either direction on its pivot, we provide antifriction members 32 which may be spaced as desired in the lower level It of the floor, these anti-friction members engaging with the under face of the table I9 for the purpose which will be well understood. We also think it desirable, but not entirely necessary, to provide stabilizing means to prevent rocking of the table I9 on its pivot pin as the table is swung to the position to receive the casket through either of the side door openings. As illustrative of a stabilizing means which may be used for the purpose specified, we have provided a casting 33 secured on the upper face of the lower level I6 of the floor, which casting has ways 34 and 35 therein adapted to receive a pin 36 mounted in the plate 31 secured to the under face of .the table I9 by means of the bolts 38. The casting 33 is formed to provide a recess 39 in which is received the enlarged head 49 on the pin 33 extending through either of the ways 34 or 35. A ball race member 4| is mounted on the head 49 on which is positioned a plurality of balls 42 having their upper faces engaging with the under, face of the casting 23 adjacent to the ways 34'or 35, as is viewed in Figure 4. The pin 36 is providedwith a nut 43 so that when the same is threaded home, a proper clearance will be provided for the antifriction balls 42 andthe pin 36 will be guided in the ways 34 or 35 respectively to prevent the table I 9 from rocking on its pivot when the same is movedtoward or to its extended position to receive the casket thereon. As shown in Figure 4, the upper face of the table I9 is substantially flush with the upper level I5 of the floor so that the casket may be moved from the table I9 to the upper level I5 of the floor, or vice versa. We also provide a cap 44 adapted to cover the opening in the table I9 receiving the pin 36 and the nut.43 thereon, also as shown in Figure 4. Also, to assist in the easy sliding of the casket on to the table I9, we preferably provide rollers 45, which may be of any desired construction as is clearly shown in Figure 1. We also provide bier pin plates 4'! adapted to receive the bier pins for maintaining the casket in position either against transversev or door openings.

longitudinal movement relative tothe table to.

As previously stated; it may be: desirable to load or unload the casket through the rear door opening and we, therefore, provide rollers 4 k in the upper level. lb of the floor, the rollers 41 be ing insubstantially the same plane as the rollers 45 so that the casket may be received into the body either on the table l9 or through the rear door opening to be supported; within the body. The upper level P5 of the floor is also provided wi h bier pin plates 43 to receive bier pins, not shown, for positioning the casket as heretofore explained.

From the foregoingdescription the operation of our device should be readily understood; For example, when it is desired to load: a casket throughthe side door opening at the right hand side of the vehicle body as shown in Figure" 1, which opening is narrower than thelength of the casket but wider'than the width thereof, the seats H and it are moved to the forward position as shown in dotted lines. The pivot pin 22 at the left hand side of the table I5- is screwed back so that the tapered portion 28 thereon is free of its seat 29 whereupon the table f9 is swung to the position shown onits pivot pin 22 at the right hand side thereof. The stabilizing means comprising the pin riding int-he way 34 will prevent rocking of the table relative to its pivot pin 22 and will serve to provide substantial and rigid construction when the casket which is of substantial weight is shoved on to the end of the table [91 When the casket, as shown in dash and dot outline, is moved on to the table t9 the operator will then swing the table in an anti-clockwise direction on its pivot 22 and will guide the casket into the vehicle body so that its longitu'dinal'axis will be parallel with the major axis of the body.

When the casket is moved toward the position in which it will finally rest in the body the same is moved to have its one end extend on to the upper level i 5 of the floor and is there supported partially by the table 59 and partially by the floor portion l5 and is held in such position by the bier pins which may be inserted in the bier pin plates 46 and 48.

It will be well understood that the casket if desired may then be unloaded through either of the side openings in the body by reversing the operation heretofore described or the casket may be removed through the rear door opening without in any way interfering with the apparatus employed for loading the casket through the side It will also be understood that when the table is moved to the position shown in full lines in Figure 1 that the pivot pins 22 may be both screwed home which will prevent the swinging of the table 19 in either direction and that the device may be used as a rear loading funeral coach only if so desired.

While we have shown one embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that the embodiment shown and described is for the purpose of illustration only and we do not desire to be limited to the construction shown, but instead the scope of the invention is capable of the modification of parts and formal changes may be made without departing from the spirit and substance thereof, the scope of which is commonsurate with the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In a combined funeral coach and ambulance, the combination of, a vehicle body provided with adoor-in: the side-thereof; a floor in said body having twolevels, and a table having its upper face substantially flushwith: the upper floor level p-ivotally supportedon the lower floor l'e'velswingable throughthe door opening to: receive a casket and swing'abl'e into said body to forman unobstructed upper'floor level for ambulance use. V

2. Ina funeral coach, the combination of, a vehicle body provided with a door opening in the side thereof, afloor insaid body having aneIe-' vated'rear portion, atable mounted on said floor having its upper facein the plane of the surface of said rear'portion, a pivot on said floor ad j a cent to the side of said table permitting the swinging of said table through said door opening, and stabilizing means on a-id floor to maintain said table in the plane of said rear portion when said table is swung througl'i 'sa-id door opening.

3. Ina combined funeral coach and ambulance, thecombination of, a vehicle body provided with a door inthe side thereof,'a 'fl'oor in said body having the reanportion thereof of one level and the front portion thereofof a lower level, and a pivoted table supported'on the lower floor level having, its'upper face substantially flush with the upper floor level swingable through said door opening to receivea casket and swingable into said bodyto form an unobstructed continuation of said rear floor portion for ambulance use.

4. In afuneral coach, the combination of, a vehicle body having-doors in either side thereof, a floor within said body having two levels, the rear portion; of sai'el floor being higher than the front portion-thereofia tabl'esupported onthe front portion ofsaid floor having its upper face substantially the same plane}- as the rear of said floor, and pivots at each side of said table arranged to selectively permit said table to swing into the door opening at either side of said body to receive a casket.

5. In a combined funeral coach and ambulance, the combination of, a vehicle body provided with a door in the side thereof, a floor having two levels in said body, a table pivotally supported on said lower floor level adapted to receive a casket of greater length than said table swingable through the door opening to receive a casket, said table when in normal position in said body being adapted to support one end of the casket, the other end thereof being supported by said floor, said table also forming a continuation of said upper floor level for ambulance use.

6. In a funeral coach, the combination of, a

vehicle body provided with a door in the side thereof, a floor having two levels within said body, a table mounted on the lower level of said floor normally forming a continuation of the upper level thereof, and a pivotal connection between said table and the lower level of said floor at one side of said table and adjacent to said about said other pivotal connection and swung through the adjacent door opening to receive a casket.

8. In a funeral coach, the'combination of, a' vehicle body provided with a door in each side thereof, a floor having two levels within saidbody, a table mounted on the lower level of said floor normally forming a continuation of the upper level thereof, a releasable pivotal connection at each side of said table adjacent to said doors to permit said table to be swung through the door opening adjacent to the unreleased connection to receive a casket, a curved track having as its centers of curvature points coincident with the axes of said pivotal connections secured upon said lower floor level and a member secured to the under side of said table engageable with said tract to prevent tilting of said table relative to said floor when said table is swung through one of said door openings and loaded with a casket.

9.'In a funeral coach, the combination of, a vehicle body having a door in the side thereof wider than the width of but narrower than the length of an adult casket, a floor in said body, an elevated rear portion on said floor, a casket receiving table on the front portion of said floor normally forming a continuation of said elevated rear portion, a removable pivot pin at each side of said table adjacent to the elevated portion of said floor to permit swinging said table through said door opening, a slotted track secured to the forward portion of said floor, and a pin secured to the under side of said table engageable with said slotted track to maintain said table in the plane of said floor when swung through said door opening. 1 d i 10. In a funeral coach, the combination of, a vehicle body provided with a door in each side thereof, a floor in said body, an elevated rear portion on said floor, a table mounted on the forward portion of said floor normally forminga continuation of said elevated rear portion, are-- leasable pivotal connection at either side of said table between said table and the forward portion of said floor to permit said table to swing through the door opening adjacent to the unreleased connection, a concave forward end on the elevated portion of said floor, a rounded extension on said table normally fitting into said concavity, flanged tracks on the forward portion of said floor extending into said concavity, and a 10 member secured on the under side of the extension on said table engageable with said track to prevent tilting of said table relative to said floor when said table is swung through one of said door openings. 15

11. In a funeral coach, the combination of, a vehicle body having doors in the sides thereof, a floor having two levels within said body, a casket receiving table mounted on the lower level of said floor having its upper face permanently 20 in substantially the same plane as the upper floor level, and releasable pivots disposed at opposite sides of said table arranged to selectively permit said table to be swung into either door opening to receive a casket.

12. In a combined funeral coach and ambulance, the combination of, a vehicle body provided with a door opening in the side thereof, a floor in said body having an elevated rear portion, and a table having its upper face substan- 30 tially flush with said rear portion pivotally supported on the forward portion of said floor swingable through said door opening to receive a casket and movable into said body to provide with said rear floor portion a floor having one 35 level for ambulance use.

JAMES R. HUGHES. CHARLES H. WONDRIES. 

